Imaging you had prior to biopsy
 

I would like to know what is commonly done across our group when it comes to imaging that is done prior to having a biopsy for breast cancer. Basically I would like to know how many people end up having a biopsy based on mammographic calcifications alone, without any palpable mass, ultrasound, or MRI prior to biopsy.

Calcifications found on routine mammogram, no paplable mass. Ultrasound done to confirm. Fine needle aspiration under ultrasound for biopsy.

I had a palpable mass which did show up on mammo and ultrasound. Then core biospy.

Chelee

For me, no lump, no mass, just calcifications, then a biopsy was done (a wire biopsy to get the exact spot)

I had had coarse calcifications on my mammos for both breasts for several years prior. (I have dense breasts). The year of my dx, they ran the mammo through the CAD program, which picked up something they call an "architectural distortion." There were microcalcifications in the vicinity of the AD. They called me back for additional views and an ultra sound. They were able to image a small mass behind the nipple using u/s. It was palpable (bearly) if you knew where to feel based on the mammo. The surgeon described is as "a thickening" rather than a lump. The biopsy followed the u/s.

Hopeful

palpable mass ---> mammo ("busy breast")-----> U/S------> MRI-----> core biopsy

Had been having checkups for cysts and b9 lumps for 12 years. Felt new lump, pcp thought the old one felt iffy when he palpated it. I wasn't concerned. Mammo showed calcifications. Had ultrasound & needle biopsy --> no cancer. Pathologist wanted it out, so lumpectomy in stead of core biopsy. Turned out there was DCIS in the area of concern, but also IDC which was missed by mammo, ultrasound and biopsy. Am I lucky or what?

Jacqueline

Palpable lump on right by me. Went to my primary care doctor who felt it too. Mammo (both sides) and ultrasound on right (lump) side. Both mammo and ultrasound showed the lump. The left side showed a small area of clustered microcalifications just under the nipple - surgical biopsy at the same time as lumpectomy. The left calcifications was a tiny dcis.

Suspicious microcalcifications found on first routine mammo. Called back for further investigation. Magnification views suggested a problem - microcalcifications spread over a 6 x 4 cm area! 16 core biopsies followed (ouch!); only one showed atypical cells. Thank goodness it did! Major haematoma covering a quarter of my right breast resulted. Had to wait for it to heal before a further 10 core biopsies in a specific area revealed a tiny tumour hidden within the 2.4 cm of intermediate and high grade DCIS. Ultrasound done prior to second set of biopsies which showed architectural distortion - no palpable lump.

Surgery followed three weeks later, which was actually three months from the initial mammogram. No great sense of urgency at the time which somewhat surprised and worried me!

If I hadn't gone for that mammogram ...

Mcgle (UK)

I had a clear mammo, then 6 months later found a lump (almost 4 cm) and then had a mammo and US, and biopsy.
No calcifications at any point.

DX at age 58, just 11 months earlier I had a clear mammo. Found my own lump...multifocal lumps...largest 3.2cm. GYN agreed it was palpable.she sent me directly from her office to the best imaging place and they did it all in that same day. First double breast MRI, then ultra sound on just the palpable side, then a needle biopsy...and then the bad news. For me it was one stop shopping. But I am fine now.